For many years, Aston Villa fans have been left frustrated and peeved at the lack of ambition and drive coming out of Villa Park. Villa have long been referred to as "a sleeping giant", a term thrown around in football a lot, but never has it been more appropriate when used to describe Aston Villa F.C.

With a new chairman, new manager, new backroom staff and a whole host of new players, just how bright is the future of Aston Villa?

It's not as easy to turn around and say that with the addition of their billionaire owner, and one of the best managers in British football, that Villa should be pushing for the top four. It is a dream I share with many a Villa fan, but look at the plans laid down and you can see in black and white, just what is planned over the coming years.

'With a little more investment over the coming years and the right managerial decisions by O'Neill, what is to stop Villa claiming that top six position, or even top four?'


Many people forget the part of 'Deadly' Doug Ellis in the current situation. For too long Villa neglected to spend in the transfer marke, much to the annoyance and anger of the fans. However, Ellis kept Villa free of debt and financially sound, prompting Lerner, the astute American businessman, to look at the current top-flight English clubs and wonder which one would be more beneficial to buy.

That's exactly what Lerner is, an astute businessman. You don't get rich by spending money. Lerner paid only £64.5 million for the club (a bargain in my eyes) and ensured that Martin O'Neill was recruited. Don't be fooled into thinking it was Ellis who hired O'Neill. The world knew Ellis was on his way out and why do you think O'Neill signed? Under the promise that Villa are going places, and he can be the man to take them there. O'Neill has a proven track record for bringing the best out of players and clubs. All you have to do is look at the history of Leicester and Celtic.

Now O'Neill has laid out his ''five-year plan." If you look at the squad list you will see perfectly well the finer points of it. Curtis Davies 22, Ashley Young 22, Luke Moore 21, Gabriel Agbonlahor 21, Nigel Reo-Coker 23, Gary Cahill 22, Scott Carson 22,  Craig Gardner 21, Isaiah Osbourne 20 and Shan Maloney 24 (all  calculated from age turning this calendar year). Then throw into the mix the likes of Gareth Barry, Patrick Berger, Stylian Petrov, Olof Mellberg, John Carew, Marlon Harewood and Zat Knight.

You can see the idea. Aston Villa, a squad not too long ago referred to as Dad's Army is a young talented squad with players of great experience thrown in to watch out for them, tutor them and guide them. Given five years O'Neill is, without doubt, the best manager Villa could hope for to mould this team from "talented youngsters" to "honours winners."

And how much has this cost Mr Lerner? The £64.5m spent on the club and the estimated £40m in transfers? So for just over £100m here is an Aston Villa team with all the foundations laid for success in the coming years. Lerner is showing how running a top-flight English club should be done. With a little more investment over the coming years and the right managerial decisions by O'Neill, what is to stop Villa claiming that top six position, or even top four?

Look at Roman Abramovich and Chelsea. God knows how much money he has spent and he has a squad full of overpaid stars and an outspoken manager who can't seem to find the right balance for the team.

Time is on Aston Villa's side. You don't get rich by spending money!

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